As first reported by Playbill.com, Rebecca Luker, a three-time Tony Award nominee for Mary Poppins, The Music Man and Show Boat, records the role of Clara on disc. Tony Award nominee Melissa Errico (High Society), who originated the role of Clara in the recent CSC revival, came down with bronchitis during the Off-Broadway run. Understudy Amy Justman assumed the role of Clara in her absence. Errico remains on vocal rest and is unable to participate in the recording.

Luker previously appeared in the Kennedy Center's 2002 revival of Passion, which also featured Tony Award nominee Kuhn (Chess, Les Misérables) as Fosca. Kuhn, who re-explored the role in the acclaimed Classic Stage Company revival of Passion this spring, is reunited with Luker on disc. The leading trio also features Silverman (The Phantom of the Opera) as Giorgio.

"Obviously, we were devastated to get the news from Melissa that, after being cleared to sing, she was being put on vocal rest again," Krasker told Playbill.com. "We were especially devastated for her; it's an awful thing for an actor to have happen. At this point there was no way we could postpone a second time. The show has closed, cast and orchestra have dispersed – people are flying in Monday from all across the country to record the album. There was no way to lock in another date. We thought we'd have to cancel the recording, but then we thought of Rebecca, who was so brilliant playing Clara in D.C., and bless her, she was not only willing to step in, but to rehearse with Judy and Ryan, and really preserve Doyle's approach to the show, which is key. We're all hoping Melissa gets better soon, and our thoughts are with her, but we're thrilled that we were able to find a solution that keeps the recording alive."

Rebecca Luker

The two-disc album of Passion will be released July 2.The album will be the most expansive treatment of the Tony Award-winning 1994 musical to date. PS Classics co-founder Tommy Krasker told Playbill.com that the planned recording will include 40-41 tracks on two discs.

Advertisement

PS Classics will begin shipping the cast album June 18. The album is currently available for pre-order at PSClassics.com. The original Broadway cast recording is currently out of print in CD package format, though it's available digitally.

PS Classics co-founder Krasker has produced many Sondheim albums over the years, including Grammy-nominated cast recordings of Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Company, A Little Night Music, Sondheim on Sondheim and Follies. Passion was initially scheduled for an early June release.

The Tony Award-winning 1994 musical, which features a libretto by James Lapine, was intimately staged by Tony Award winner John Doyle (Sweeney Todd, Company, Road Show). Passion began previews Feb. 8 and officially opened Feb. 28. Critics embraced Doyle's production, which extended its run through April 19.